RY X
Birth nameRy Cuming
Birth date6 May 1988 (age 38)
Birth placeWoodford Island, Australia
InstrumentVocals · guitar
GenreAlt-pop · indietronica · indie folk
OccupationSinger · musician · songwriter · record producer
Years active2006–present
LabelJive Records · Dumont Dumont · Infectious Music UK
Associated actsThe Acid · Charlie Cunningham · Howling
Websitery-x.com

Ry Cuming (born 6 May 1988), better known by his stage name RY X, is an Australian singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer.[1] He was the first artist signed to the Stockholm-based label Dumont Dumont.[2][3]

Early life

Ry Cuming[4] was born on 6 May 1988 on Woodford Island, where he became a surfer.[5] He now resides in California.[6]

Career

Cuming has cited Pearl Jam and Jeff Buckley as his greatest influences;[7] he started writing music at the age of 16 after hearing Buckley's 1994 album Grace.[7] His song "Let Your Spirit Fly" appeared on the soundtrack of the 2006 film Hoot. Cuming then moved to Los Angeles, where he was signed by Jive Records, releasing his self-titled debut album on 20 July 2010.[8] He briefly toured with Maroon 5, becoming their opening act in select venues.[1]

Cuming won the 2010 Dolphin Awards for "Best Pop Song" and "Best New Artist".[9] In 2012, he collaborated with Frank Wiedemann to release "Howling" on the German record label Innervisions, including a remix by Âme.[4] Cuming's EP Berlin, released on 28 August 2013,[10] was made available as 12" vinyl and digital. The title track charted in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.[11][12][13] The track also caught the attention of singer Sam Smith, who covered it.[14]

In 2014, Cuming became the lead singer of the band The Acid, which he formed with Adam Freeland and Steve Nalepa. The trio released an album titled Liminal, in July 2014.[15] Together with Wiedemann he formed the band Howling and released a full-length album, Sacred Ground, on Ninja Tune and Monkeytown Records. Cuming's single "Howling" was featured in the movie Everything, Everything. The remix by Âme was featured in the movie Taken 3.

In May 2016, Cuming released his second album Dawn through Infectious Records and Loma Vista Records.[16] The album charted at number 34 in the UK Album Charts as well as charting in Germany, France, Canada, and Australia.[17] It gained favourable reception from the media, with a New York Times review saying, "His voice is a pearly, androgynous tenor, a vessel for liquid melancholy that blurs words at the edges. He stretches pop structures with repetition that grows devotional, obsessive, hypnotic."[16] In support of the album, Coming began an extensive tour across Europe and the U.S. as well as appearing at many festivals throughout 2016, such as Barn on the Farm and the Montreux Jazz Festival.[18]

Cuming's third studio album, Unfurl, was released in February 2019 via Infectious Music.[19] The single "Untold" was released from the album in October 2018, which coincided with the beginning of his global tour.[20][21]

“Cuming has previously appeared on tracks by Diplo, ODESZA, Duke Dumont, and Black Coffee, and was commissioned to remix Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain”.”[22]

Blood Moon, Cuming's fourth album, was released in June 2022 via BMG.[23] The album was recorded, produced and engineered almost entirely by Cuming at his home studio in Topanga.[24] Blood Moon was released on the same day as Drake's album Honestly, Nevermind. "It was a dual celebration for RY X, who co-wrote and co-produced the Honestly, Nevermind track “Sticky”.”[22] Blood Moon features collaborator Ólafur Arnalds on the track, "Colorblind".[25] The project also took Cuming to Iceland to collaborate with Imre and Marne Van Opstal and nature photographer Benjamin Hardman for the official videos of "Your Love" and "Come Back".[26] Blood Moon Remixes was released the following year, in June 2023.[27]

Moths was released in September 2023 with its debut on Youtube with the official video, shot in the Sahara desert.[28]

Live Performances

Cuming, performing as RY X, has played non-traditional venues throughout his career, including a Cercle livestreamed show from Brazil's Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.[29] In 2021, Cuming performed a livestream show produced by Driift from Vibiana Cathedral.[30] In September 2023, Cuming performed at London's St. Paul's Cathedral with the London Contemporary Orchestra.[31] It was said that this show sold out so quickly, the waitlist consisted of over 4000 people.[32]

Orchestral Shows

ArtistYearCityVenueOrchestra
RY X2017BerlinKonzerthaus BerlinDeutsches Kammerorchester[33]
RY X2018MunichAlte KongresshalleMünchner Rundfunkorchester[34]
RY X2018BrusselsABBrussels Philharmonic Soloists[35]
RY X2018LondonBarbicanLondon Contemporary Orchestra[36]
RY X2019LondonRoyal Albert HallLondon Contemporary Orchestra[37]
RY X2021Los AngelesWalt Disney Concert HallLA Philharmonic[38]
RY X2023LondonRoundhouseLondon Philharmonic Orchestra[39]
RY X2023LondonSt Paul's CathedralLondon Contemporary Orchestra[40]

Discography

Albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
BEL
(FL)
[41]		FRA
[42]		GER
NLD
[43]		SWI
[44]
Ry Cuming
  • Released: 20 July 2010
  • Label: Jive
  • Format: Digital download, CD
—————
Dawn41114875752
Unfurl
  • Released: 15 February 2019[45]
  • Label: Infectious
  • Format: Digital download, CD
11184
[46]		385431
Blood Moon
  • Released: 17 June 2022[47]
  • Label: Infectious
  • Format: Digital download, CD
151———68

Extended plays

TitleDetailsCertification
Berlin
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: Infectious Music UK
  • Format: Digital download, 12" vinyl

Singles

YearTitlePeak chart positionsAlbum
UK
[13]		BEL
(FL)
Tip
[41]		BEL
(WA)
Tip
[49]		FRA
[11]		GER
[12]
2013"Berlin"38—42*1546Berlin EP
2014"Love Like This"—————
2016"Sweat (Dusk Sessions)"—————Dawn
"Howling"—————Dawn
2017"Bad Love"—————
2018"Untold"—9*———Unfurl
"YaYaYa"—19*———
2019"Thunder"—————

*Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts.

Awards & Accolades

Grammy Awards

As the only peer-recognized music award, the GRAMMY is the music industry’s highest honor[50]

YearCategoryNominee/WorkResultRef
2016Best Remixed RecordingOnly (Kaskade x Lipless Remix)Nominee[51]

Australian Music Prize

The Australian Music Prize has provided a mouthpiece to the best albums in Australian contemporary music. Now in its 19th year, the prize is widely recognised as the most prestigious award for Australian recording artists [52]

YearCategoryNominee/WorkResultRef
2022Best albums of 2022 by Australian artistsBlood MoonNominee[53]

Music Week Awards

The Music Week Awards are the UK's only music awards that recognise labels, publishing, live, retail, A&R, radio, marketing and PR.[54]

YearCategoryNominee/WorkResultRef
2021Sync of the YearBerlin - Normal PeopleNominee[55]

Dolphin Awards

The NCEIA Dolphin Music Awards are an annual iconic local music event, organised by the North Coast Entertainment Industry Association (NCEIA).[56]

YearCategoryNominee/WorkResultRef
2013Best Pop SongBerlinWinner[57]
2013Best New ArtistRY XWinner

Other appearances

References

  1. ^ Cantiello, Jim (20 August 2010). "Maroon 5 Tourmate Ry Cuming Shares Portraits of Life on the Road". MTV. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  2. ^ The Line of Best Fit.com RY X announces London show for December 2013
  3. ^ DumontDumont: RY X page Archived 7 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Ry X Frank Wiedemann present The Howling Archived 10 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Lee, Ann (13 March 2018). "Ry X: 'I'm Just Trying To Love Everyone I Meet A Lot'". The Culture Trip
  6. ^ Reid, Poppy (2022-06-17). "RY X: "Music And Dance Are The Two Most Powerful Art Forms"". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  7. ^ Kerr, Scott. "RY X Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Ry Cuming (album)". Allmusic. 20 July 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  9. ^ "KYYY: RY Cuming". 92.9 FM – Y-93. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  10. ^ Nordic Waves: RY X – Berlin Archived 11 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "Discographie RY X". French Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung)
  12. ^ "Discographie RY X". German Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung). Archived from the original on 7 July 2014.
  13. ^ "UK Charts > RY X". Official Charts Company
  14. ^ "Listen: Sam Smith covers RY X's "Berlin"". Consequence of Sound. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 2016-02-29.
  15. ^ Rothlein, Jordan (19 May 2014). "Adam Freeland, RY X and Steve Nalepa are The Acid". Resident Advisor. Archived 23 February 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  16. ^ Pareles, Jon (2016-05-04). "Review: RY X Stretches Pop Structures on 'Dawn'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  17. ^ "iTunesCharts.net: 'Dawn' by RY X (British Albums iTunes Chart)". www.itunescharts.net. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  18. ^ "Ry X". Songkick. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  19. ^ Goggins, Joe (15 February 2019). "Ry X - Unfurl". DIY. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  20. ^ Murray, Robin (9 October 2018). "RY X Shares Beautiful New Song 'Untold'". Clash Magazine Music. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  21. ^ "RY X Announces New Album "Unfurl", Unveils New Single & Global Tour Dates". Red Light Management. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  22. ^ Bowmer, Sam (2022-06-30). "RY X on His New Album ‘Blood Moon’ and Collaborating with Drake". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  23. ^ Interviews, Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & (2022-06-20). "Ry X - Blood Moon". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  24. ^ "RY X • Red Light Management". Red Light Management. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  25. ^ Staff, Notion (2022-05-20). "RY X: "There Was A Lot of Space In My Youth"". Notion. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  26. ^ "Imre & Marne van Opstal – Ry X – Blood Moon". imremarnevanopstal.com. 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  27. ^ "RY X - Blood Moon". www.traxsource.com. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  28. ^ "RY X Teams Up With Pegasus Distillerie for New Music Video for "Moths (Night Odyssey)"" (in Japanese). pm studio world wide news. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  29. ^ Lugen, Mikala (2022-09-16). ""Easily the Hardest Show We've Ever Pulled Off": Watch RY X's Mesmerizing Cercle Performance". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  30. ^ "Vibiana | Vibiana DTLA Performance from Ry X". www.vibiana.com. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  31. ^ "fabric announce immersive event at St Paul's Cathedral with RY X". Mixmag. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  32. ^ Dolan, Leah (2023-09-15). "This 350-year-old London landmark just hosted its first techno night". CNN. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  33. ^ "Howling’s Ry X To Play Live With Orchestra Next Year In Berlin". Telekom Electronic Beats. 2016-12-16. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  34. ^ "Ry X & Münchner Rundfunkorchester" (in German). www.muffatwerk.de. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  35. ^ "RY X embraced by Brussels Philharmonic Soloists". Brussels Philharmonic. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  36. ^ "RY X announces one off London show with The London Contemporary Orchestra". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  37. ^ "RY & London Contemporary Orchestra - Live From The Royal Albert Hall". The Electric Church. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  38. ^ "Multi-faceted artist RY X Performs with the LA Phil | LA Phil | Walt Disney Concert Hall". LA Phil. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  39. ^ "RY X with the London Philharmonic Orchestra". LPO. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
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  45. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (9 October 2018). "RY X announces second album with lead track 'Untold'". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  46. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums Fusionnes – SNEP (Week 8, 2019)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
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  48. ^ Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  49. ^ "Discographie RY X". Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung)
  50. ^ "We are the official site of the GRAMMY Awards, Music's Biggest Night | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  51. ^ "CONCORD MUSIC GROUP SCORES 18 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS - Concord". concord.com. 2016-12-06. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  52. ^ "The Soundmerch Australian Music Prize". The Soundmerch Australian Music Prize. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  53. ^ "Nominees". The Soundmerch Australian Music Prize. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
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  56. ^ "NCEIA Dolphin Music Awards About - Mission Statement". NCEIA. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  57. ^ "Ry X on how his Northern NSW roots keep him grounded amidst rising stardom". ABC listen. 2022-07-04. Retrieved 2024-01-17.